Pennycress offers future fuel in Warren County

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A future for biodiesel fuel is taking root in a Warren County field right now. That's where pennycress shows potential as a green alternative.

When most farmers are just ready to plant, Ray Gillen is already preparing to harvest.

"It's kind of neat to see something green," he said.

The Warren County farmer will harvest 150 acres of pennycress later this month. He's taking a common weed and turning it into a source for biodiesel and aviation fuel.

"It's going to be good for the whole Midwest," Gillen said. "It will add a new crop, new money to the economy."

Pennycress, which was seeded by airplane over standing corn last September, helps farmers like Gillen to get more from their land. With a fall planting and spring harvest, it allows growers to use the same land for a soybean crop.

"It's such an early season crop that it's going to be completely done before any other annual crop gets established for the spring," said Dr. Win Phippen, Western Illinois University.